Improved tackling to be focus of Saturday’s USC scrimmage

USC will hold another limited scrimmage Saturday and tackling will be under scrutiny after some sloppy plays last weekend.

“It’s never what you want,” defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox said following Thursday’s practice. “We had some good finishes (the first scrimmage) but we didn’t tackle very clean.”

It is also hard to judge tackling too much when the scrimmage lasts only 25 plays, which is the format USC coach Steve Sarkisian used at the Coliseum. But Wilcox said the limited scrimmage revealed quite a bit about the defense.

“We’ve got to finish a few plays at the moment of truth between the wide receiver and defensive back,” Wilcox said. “We also need to sustain better (during regular practices) the last 25 plays.”

Just how much USC tackles during the fall will be a major talking point. Lane Kiffin frequently complained about how scholarship reductions robbed him of the opportunity to tackle daily. And his successor, Sarkisian, says he will need to manage the team during the season with limited numbers.

Wilcox said whether or not USC tackles regularly, there will not be excuses for doing it poorly in September.

“There’s a gray area with how you practice tackling,” he said. “It’s on us as coaches to find the right balance.”

As USC reached the midway point of spring drills, Wilcox said linebacker Hayes Pullard and defensive tackle Antwaun Woods were the two standouts.

Pelon’s learning curve

Defensive tackle Claude Pelon was a highly rated junior college player who enrolled at USC in January. And so far, he is going through an expected transition. Whether he makes an impact in the fall is an open question.

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“It’s a significant (transition),” Wilcox said. “I’m sure he would tell you the same. But he has showed flashes from each defense-to-defense (we run).”

USC has not allowed Pelon to speak to the media during spring drills. Another defensive lineman who has an easier adjustment is Texas Tech transfer Delvon Simmons, who redshirted last season.

“He definitely has a background to play,” Wilcox said.

Simmons can play either tackle or defensive end depending on the Trojans’ formation, Wilcox said.

Recruit watch

Offensive guard Chuma Edoga of Powder Springs, Ga., who is ranked the No. 2 guard in the nation by Rivals.com, visited USC on Thursday. Quarterback David Sills, who committed to USC in seventh grade, was expected to attend practice but visited West Virginia on Thursday.

The fact Sills was not in Los Angeles demonstrated the shakiness of his commitment as USC’s engaged in only limited communications with him the past four months.

Big day for Rogers

Sophomore wide receiver Darreus Rogers made two big catches in the red zone during practice and then won a “dance off” competition Sarkisian held during practice between the offense and defense.

“He made two tremendous catches,” Sarkisian said. “It’s important for him, it’s important for the quarterback to have confidence in him and it’s important for me to see him do that.”

Sarkisian said he wants to create mismatches on offense during the season and right now believes Rogers, wide receiver Nelson Agholor and tailback Javorius Allen are the players capable of doing that against opposing defenses.